The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-03-12
SAVED BY A "JOB."
Story of One Who Nearly Com
mitted Suicide.

Not far from the center of department
activity in Washington is Il cosy restaurant
that is favorte resort of lovers of good
fare and OF that quiet which, to many, is so
needful an accessory to the enjoyment of u
good meal. 1t is noted not only for cosincss
and the excellent character of its viands
and liquors, as well as the polite attention
one is sure to receive but because it is the
resort OF the Bohcmans of the capital.
Around its tables, especially in the even
ings, there congregate in small groups
some of the brightest and best of tho young
and old men, temporarily or permanently
located in Washington; and here the social
and political gossip Of the day is retailed at
its freshest: good stories, told with zest
by rare story tellers, evoke merriment;
men and things are discussed with wit and
intelligence, and political movements are
conceived and formulated that are often far
reaching in their consequences.
Not many evenings ago there was gath
cred at one of the tables u party of four
gentlemen, who over their coffee and cigars
were discussing a subject not asogcther in
keeping with the surroundings, all of which
suggested life and the enjoyment of it.
They were acquaintances Of some months
standing; men who had been thrown to.
gether in the whirl of winter life ut the
genial in each others society in spite of the
great disparity in age, profession and sta
tion. The eldest of the party, Colonel on
the retired list, had found Washington an
agreeable place to spend his days after
years of active service IN the Mexican and
civil wars, in that arduOus occupation of
the American soldier-chasing and fighting
Indians on the frontier;' the youngest a
STRIPPING compared with this grizzled vet
eran, but n man with keen look in the
bright hazel eyes that shonc behind pair
OF glasses, and an assurance of manner,
born of long association with men of the
world older in years and experience than
himself, was one of the brightest men of
Newspaper Row; Congressman serving
his first term from Western State, was
the third member of the party, and the
fourth q dabbler in art and literature whose
name has not yet become known to fame in
either.
~ see," said the newspaper man. as he
laid down his coffee cup, "that Browns
body has been found, and there is no doubt
that he committed suicide"
''As usual, George" lisped the dilcttante
in art, "you tell us something that is not
news. Trust newspaper man for that.
You fellows always greet one another with
the salutation What do you know.' and
invariably keep your own little items of
news for the paper whose special you are. ~
SHOW is it with the artistic fraternity.
GUS" retorted George, reused by this home
thrust "Are they in tho habit of giving
their ideas Of coloring or of technique To
theirufellow laborers in the vineyards Or
do they wait until they have put them in
concrete form before the eyes OF probable
purchasers"
Gus relapsed into silence and the member
from the West, after a puff or two at his
cigar, said contemplativcly: well, Brown
found way out OF an existence which soor
would have become unbearable 1t was
the only course left him, unless he chose tc
go to Canada. think he was wise in his
choice of alternatives"
~ don't agree with you, i" broke in George
"lt is only coward who would choose such
way OF solving the problem"
There you go again, my FRIEND" inter
rupicd Gus. 1T is the province of Tho
newspaper writer to volunteer opinions
and you are always at it,"
"And unfortunately for the community
to which they are given" said the Colonel
joining IN the conversation, ''ncwspapel
opinions are too often given to the pu bli,
half formed, or are the rciteration of trit,
aphorisms that arc but half truths. bu
which, from their constant use, have com,
to pass as sound currency. Our youn.
friend here has probably caught up tina
idea OF the cowardliness OF suicide will
hls shorthand notes OF some good clergy
mans sermon, when he was an ordinary re
porter, and 1t has been floating about in hi
mind ever since, without his giving it tn,
Thought that one not OF the superficial
habit that characterizes 80 many OF hi
conferces would have given it.n
The odds were clearly against George
but, nothing abashed, he was proceeding I,
argue the point with his usual vivacity
when tho Congressman came to his relic
by proposing TO give u bit OF personal OK
perience, which he said might furnish tn
young man some ideas on the subject
George was not sorry for tho interruption
anu accordingly dropped tho discussion
though only temporarily, no assured tn
others, and in order that they might learl
something OF the biography OF stat ssmal
WHICH tho menger sketches OF the Con